Florida Conducts 9th Execution in 2025, Breaking 50-Year Record

In a historic moment for the Sunshine State, Florida executed Edward Zakrzewski for the 1994 brutal murders of his wife and two children.

The death of the 60-year-old inmate marked the state’s ninth execution in 2025.

This execution set a new state record for the most executions in a single year since the death penalty was reinstated in the United States nearly 50 years ago.

The previous record was eight executions in 2014.

Zakrzewski was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. on Thursday after receiving a lethal three-drug injection at Florida State Prison in Starke.

The drugs administered included a sedative, a paralytic, and a heart-stopping drug, as outlined by the state Department of Corrections.

In his final words, Zakrzewski thanked the people of Florida for what he described as a “cold, calculated, clean, humane, efficient” execution.

“I have no complaint,” he stated after the curtain to the death chamber was lifted, making a remark that has drawn both support and condemnation from those watching.

Zakrzewski, who was lying on a gurney under a white sheet, quoted from a poem before the drugs began to take effect.

As the drugs flowed into his system, Zakrzewski began to breathe deeply.

Within moments, he became still, despite attempts from prison staff to rouse him.

Zakrzewski had been observed by 14 witnesses, including reporters and prison officials, before being declared dead.

Earlier in the day, Zakrzewski ate his final meal, consisting of fried pork chops, root beer, and ice cream, as reported by state Department of Corrections spokesperson Paul Walker.

He also had one visitor before his execution. Walker noted that Zakrzewski had remained “compliant” as the execution time neared.

Zakrzewski’s case had been tied to one of Florida’s most horrific family tragedies.

On June 9, 1994, he brutally murdered his wife, Sylvia, and their two children, Edward, 7, and Anna, 5.

Court records revealed that the killings occurred after his wife asked for a divorce.

Zakrzewski had previously confided in others that he would rather kill his family than allow the divorce to happen.

He attacked his wife with a crowbar, then strangled her with a rope.

When he believed Sylvia had survived the attack, he struck her with a machete, which he also used to kill their two young children.

Despite unsuccessful appeals over the years, including a last-ditch request for a stay of execution, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Zakrzewski’s final attempt to delay his death.

His execution proceeded despite opposition from some who highlighted his military service as a U.S. Air Force veteran and the fact that a jury had narrowly voted 7-5 to recommend his death sentence, which under current state law would have been an unconstitutional decision today.

Zakrzewski’s execution sets a grim milestone for Florida, which continues to lead the nation in executions this year.

The state has carried out more executions than any other, with Texas and South Carolina tied for second place with four executions each.

A 10th execution is already scheduled for August 19, with another one on August 28.

As of now, 27 men have been executed across the United States in 2025, and nine more are slated for execution in the remaining months of the year.

Florida remains a leader in carrying out capital punishment in the U.S., a practice that continues to draw both fierce support and criticism.

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